You feel some strange bumps on your face that sprung up maybe at night; you look at your face in your bathroom mirror and find out that they are not normal pimples - could they be ingrown hair? Probably!
When the hair curls backwards or grows sideways into the skin, which isn’t normal, it is considered as ingrown hair. This hair condition is common in people who have curly hair. The ingrown hair might or might not be accompanied by folliculitis - an infection of the hair follicle, or the razor bumps scientifically described as pseudofolliculitis barbae, according to Health Line. So, why does it happen?
The cyst can develop for a number of reasons and ingrown hair is one of them. It seems no matter how careful we are while shaving or waxing our faces, we still get ingrown hair. They cause redness, bumps and hurt like hell, especially when a friend sees the cyst and wants to squeeze it. Here are some reasons why ingrown hair occur.

1. Ingrown hair can be because of your hair type

Yes, some types of hair are more prone to ingrown hair, and so if you have those Drake-eyebrows or beards on your face, you have to be careful while shaving. According to Huffington Post, you shouldn’t dig into the hair on your face with tweezers or pick them with your fingernails whenever you want to remove an ingrown hair. That will cause an infection, and you guessed right, a cyst! It’s advisable to always use an alcohol swab and sterilized tweezers to get rid of the hair, which is on the skin of your face in abid to prevent infection.

2. Shaving or waxing your hair in the wrong manner

Whenever you are shaving, especially your beard, be sure you lather in the direction of the hair growth with the help of pre-shave cream or gel. The most recommended one is the Completely Bare Moisturizing No-Bump Shave Gel, which is meant to soften stubble. You can also look for professional grade at-home waxing kits at the store near you and they will help you get rid of short, coarse and curly hair. According to Doctor Kapil, when you shave or wax in the wrong direction, you might interfere with the natural course of your hair and in the process, the hair curves beneath the skin of your face.

3. Tugging at the skin on your face with the razor

You might not know, but maybe you are holding the razor too close to your face. You scrap your skin as you shave and in most cases, it occurs when you are using a dull razor with a worn-down guard. As a result, you feel an irritation that leads to ingrown hair. So what do professionals suggest? When waxing your face use a good wax, which won’t break the hair. When shaving, according to Johnson from Huffington Post, make sure you have a good, thick, shave gel and a sharp razor. A fresh blade prevents razor bumps as well as ingrown hair.

A post shared by Claudia Duran💋 (@mensskincareguru) on May 8, 2018 at 11:09am PDT

We have been discussing waxing and shaving for a while now, and you might be wondering if they are the only ways you can get an ingrown hair on your face. No! It’s not a sure thing that you would get an ingrown hair on your face after shaving or waxing; it may be due to certain genetic disorders. According to Kristina Vanoosthuyze, the global scientific communications manager for Gillette Venus, the issue with ingrown hair on someone’s face is genetic, and waxing and shaving shouldn’t be blamed in most cases. She explained that the hair grows in a hair follicle and for some people, the follicle wall is not strong enough and so the hair pierces the wall under your face before reaching the exit.

5. Removing hair from your face every morning

When you shave or wax your hair frequently, you are just increasing the chances of getting an ingrown hair on the face. It might even get worse and you can develop a cyst. Every time you are plucking, waxing or shaving hair on your face, you are at a risk of developing an ingrown hair, and any person with a coarse and curly hair is at a higher risk, according to Dr Dennis Gross, the founder of Dr Dennis Gross Skincare. The doctor further revealed that waxing causes an imbalance in the hair follicle and it fails to grow in an upward direction. He also stated that certain waxes do block the hair follicles from coming out of the shaft and that’s how one might develop an ingrown hair on the face or even a cyst.

As many as 48 hours after removing the hair on your face, you can get back to exfoliating. It’s something that you ought to do at the end of the shower, since it allows your skin to soak and soften. When your skin remains hard, you will most likely get an ingrown hair because the tip of the hair can’t force its way out of your skin. Kapil from Huffington Post recommends a mould-resistant washcloth such as Loofah It, which is an antiseptic body wash with skin-soothing ingredients like tea tree and green tea extracts. This you can gently apply on your face in circular movements. When you don’t exfoliate, it will be like forgetting that your hair is growing and you will be putting your skin at a risk of getting cysts from an ingrown hair.

Symptoms of ingrown hair on your face

The most common area where ingrown hair occurs is the beard area, which includes the cheek, chin and the neck. To those who shave their heads, it can occur on the scalp as well. The most common signs and symptoms are small, solid and rounded bumps, described as papules, and small, pus-filled, blister-like, lesions or cysts. Others things you notice are skin darkening, a condition called hyper-pigmentation; pain, itching and embedded hair. An occasional occurrence shouldn’t make you call 911, but if it’s a chronic condition, you need to see your doctor!
Having a tight curl can increase the risk of ingrown hair by over 70%. Chronic ingrown hair can lead to skin darkening, bacterial infection, permanent scarring, razor bumps and cysts. Health advisors recommend that you use electric razor or clipper, chemical hair remover, and creams designed to decrease hair growth.

Home remedies for ingrown hair on your face

We already know what ingrown hair is by now. Treat them well with the best remedy, so that you get rid of the problem once and for all. There are various homemade treatments that will reduce the pain and get rid of the ingrown hair cyst quickly. To overcome the condition, many people consult their doctors, but if it is not too severe use some remedies that have been proven over time and can work wonders for you. Some home mentioned below can treat your cyst or ingrown hair within the comforts of your home. You must know the best remedy for you!

1. Baking soda

Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects. Therefore, it’s a good option for preventing ingrown hair on your face. It helps reduce itching and redness, and also acts as a natural exfoliator. You are required to make a concentrated solution of baking soda and water, and then apply it on the cheeks or chin using a cotton ball. Relax for about 10 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Do the same on a daily basis for at least a week and you will get some amazing results. One can also make a homemade scrub of baking soda, ground oatmeal and water. It will help get rid of that cyst of ingrown hair on the sides or the lower parts of your face.

2. Homemade wax

Did you know you can make your own wax back at home? Yes! Your options aren’t limited to the wax from the store. You can create your own wax from a variety of ingredients found in your kitchen. Just pour two tablespoons of sugar into a bowl, and then add a tablespoon of honey and another of water; then place the mixture in your microwave and allow it to heat for about 30 seconds. Ensure that the sugar dissolves in the liquid and you will end up with a thick, waxy substance.
Grab a spatula or wax applicator to mix the solution well before you apply it to the part of your face from where you want to eliminate the hair. Place a strip of cloth over the freshly applied wax, allow it to cool for some seconds and then pull. The wax will eliminate the hair and leave your face fresh and clean. In case the homemade wax cools, place it back in the microwave for about 10 seconds and repeat until you eliminate all the unwanted hair on your face.

3. Steaming the ingrown hair

Steaming is another effective way of treating ingrown hair. The method is very effective when treating the ingrown hair cyst because the heat will open up pores of the skin. It helps make your face ‘airy’, so that the hair can soften and grow outwards. Later, ingrown hair can be treated with tweezers easily. If the results don’t come straight away, wait for a few days.
They are a variety of compounds that you can use while steaming. One of them is using the orange of grapefruit peel. The peel is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from the inside. Orange peels are also known reducing acne. The second compound that you can use when steaming is lemongrass, which has some essential oils that help to cleanse the skin naturally. Steaming with it will help in the treatment of ingrown hair effectively.
You can also use Origanum, Wormwood leaves, lemon and Melissa while steaming your skin. Origanum’s leaves contain essential oils that help your skin glow. Melissa leaves, on the other hand, help to eliminate the toxins beneath the skin. Wormwood helps treat itchy skin rashes and reduces oil on the surface of the skin.

4. Oatmeal

Oatmeal can also be significant in treating the ingrown hair cyst. You should make a solution by mixing equal quantity of ground oatmeal with yoghurt and honey; then apply it to the affected area on your face. Leave the remedy for half-an-hour and then wash as well as rinse it off with cold water. This method helps check the growth of e ingrown hair on your face and eliminates the chances of developing a cyst.
Oatmeal is a convenient remedy for healing ingrown hair cysts because it has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which act as soothing skin agents. Colloidal oatmeal has been passed by the U.S. FDA as a skin protector.

This is an ancient, proven remedy. Before even people thought about using wax, there was sugar and it has been just as effective! If your skin is sensitive and is prone to redness, well, this is the best option for you. What’s more, it’s totally natural! You only have to heat water, add a certain amount of lemon juice and regular table sugar to it; allow the mixture to boil until it turns amber in color.
While the mixture is cooling, apply cornstarch or baby powder on that part of your face from where you intend to eliminate unwanted hair. This helps in reducing irritation from your skin. You can then apply the paste to your face in the opposite direction to the hair and place a cotton strip over it. The paste will take a few minutes to harden. Rip it off in the direction of the hair and repeat that until the hair has been eliminated. The amazing thing about this remedy is that it doesn’t cut your hair from beyond the skin surface and so, you can’t develop an ingrown hair cyst.

6. Aloe Vera

Another must try home remedy that never disappoints is Aloe vera. It’s on the list of proven home remedies that are used to treat ingrown hair. Aloe vera is known to contain a variety of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and E, which help improve the skin’s natural elasticity. Aloe vera also helps in keeping the skin moisturized and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles on one’s face.
Due to the natural moisturizing properties, the remedy has many benefits. The gel of Aloe vera assists your skin in many ways and also provides oxygen to the healthy skin cells on your face. It also eliminates mucus and liberates natural vitamins as well as enzymes. It sure helps the skin in remaining moisturized and maintaining a balanced PH.
To use the remedy, peel a certain amount of Aloe vera and rub the gel to the area with ingrown hair. After some time, wash the skin with clean water. Ensure that you repeat the method daily, so that you can help remove the ingrown hair cysts from your face. You can also apply Aloe vera with rice water; after you apply the mixture on the part of the face you want to, wait for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Wait for the results; you will sure have a shining skin and your face will have an amiable charm.

We mentioned homemade wax before, and honey was part of the ingredients for making that wax, but did you know honey could be a remedy by itself? It could sure be as effective as the wax itself! Well, honey doesn’t only moisturize the skin, but also acts as an excellent antiseptic. It helps reduce swelling and skin inflammation too. All you need to do is apply honey on the affected area and leave it for about 10 minutes.
You can then wash the area with cold water. You can try this remedy up to three times a day to get some positive results and help heal that cyst on your face. If you can get raw, unprocessed honey, the results are much better. Just try out honey and see the lovely impact it has on your face!

8. Egg white mask

Eggs are full of protein and that means they are good for your skin. They can provide nutrients that are needed by the skin to produce collagen, which keeps it fresh and youthful. Moreover, egg white is sticky, especially when it dries, and can stick to any facial hair easily. When you rip it off, it will eliminate all the hair on top of the skin and help you get rid of any ingrown hair that can result in a cyst. The good thing is that the white mask is as effective as store-bought wax.
To make this remedy, you will be required to drop the white of an egg in a container and mix with a tablespoon of sugar. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch and beat the mixture until the paste is smooth. Apply it on your face and wait for some minutes before it dries. The paste will harden soon and form a thick mask, which you can rip-off easily. However, you have to be cautious while doing so to avoid any injury to your skin. A quick rip will pluck the hair without damaging the skin on your face. And the best news is you won’t worry about ingrown hair cysts anymore!

Among the popular home remedies for ingrown hair, aspirin is one of the most effective. Aspirin is an antiseptic and so it has the capability to clean dead cells when applied to the hair regularly.
Preparing this remedy is very easy and it is sure very effective. You need to take one aspirin tablet, and grind and mix it with clean water to create a gel. Apply the remedy to ingrown hair and then wait for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. By doing this, you eliminate the chances of getting an ingrown hair cyst on your face. This remedy will sure result in a glowing skin and your face will shine out in the crowd.

10. Cucumber

Cucumber is known to contain a lot of water that helps deal with skin inflammation, pain, irritation, redness and swelling. To prepare the remedy, refrigerate the cucumber for 30 minutes and cut it into tiny slices. Place the slices on the affected area. This particular remedy is one of the easiest and must be done on a daily basis, until the symptoms of an ingrown hair subside.
You can also make a cucumber puree and add some milk to it. Refrigerate for around half-an-hour and then apply it to the affected area on your face using a cotton swab. Allow it to stay on for close to 15 minutes. Wash off the part of your face with some lukewarm water. Just enjoy the glowing skin that results later on!

A post shared by İDİL DORA GIDA (@idildoraoliveoil) on May 10, 2018 at 11:21pm PDT

Olive oil is among the most recommended home remedies for ingrown hair. It has some antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, which are beneficial for the skin. Olive oil can soothe the dry skin and also produce a protective layer that eliminates the chances of the skin getting damaged. Treatment of ingrown hair with olive oil increases moisture in the skin and helps ingrown hair in emerging to the surface of the skin.
Just apply olive oil on the part of the face that is most affected. Rubbing gently helps the active ingredients and natural nutrients of olive oil penetrate deep into the skin cells. The moisture of olive oil helps the skin become softer and healthier. This is a remedy that is easy to follow for anyone and the process is relatively simple too.

12. Sea salt

If you want to exfoliate your skin, increase the blood circulation, reduce swelling or speed up the healing process, sea salt sure helps. Just make a paste of sea salt and water; then use a piece of cloth to apply the mixture on the affected area. Leave it for close to 15 minutes and then wash it off with some fresh water. You are supposed to do it at least twice each day until the ingrown hair cyst is cured completely.
You can also mix some Epsom salt in bathing water and soak your face in it. The mixture will help loosen the ingrown hair and allow it to follow the right course. Don’t make use of this remedy if your skin has issues with salt. Make sure you do not damage your skin, as that can be dangerous.

13 Mint leaves

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You must be in love with the fragrance of mint, but you probably never had any idea that it can also be used as a remedy for skin ailments. Mint is very good in treating ingrown hair and cysts. The herb soothes the skin and moisturizes it. The skin is always fresh and full of vitality once you use this remedy. Just take 15-20 mint leaves; rinse them before grinding them. Apply the paste on the affected area on your face to heal ingrown hair.
Allow the paste to remain on the area for some time and then rinse with some warm water. Later, apply a mild moisturizer that soothes the skin further. You are supposed to use this remedy twice or thrice a week for quick results. As far as skin treatments are concerned, one needs to be patient at all times. For a glowing face, that if is the least one can ask for.

The final word

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The home remedies mentioned above are believed to reduce symptoms of ingrown hair and cysts. Even though the home remedies for ingrown cysts seem to be time-consuming, their results will surprise you, so just remain patient! You can choose any of the remedies depending on your condition or according to what you can access at your home easily. If one remedy does not work for you, you can try another remedy. However, when the ingrown hair proves too stubborn, you can consult your doctor for the future course of action. After all, it’s all about a glowing face and shining skin!